| Popis: |
We have developed assays based on the in vitro properties of malignant liver epithelial cells in which the qualitative changes of the carcinogen-treated cell population, and the quantitative changes of individual cells within such a population, can be studied. Even with these improved methods, it is not possible to identify the transformed epithelial cells when the percentage of transformed cells is low. We have examined several conditions under which the untransformed cells are either killed or maintained, without cell division, while the viability or proliferation of the transformed cells is not affected. Using the selective methods and the improved techniques for the identification of transformed cells, it should be possible to investigate the mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis and to use the liver epithelial cells for assessing the possible hepatocarcinogenic potency of environmental agents. |
